Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must bear the name atvi address of the Writer , not necessarihj for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our CoTm respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

SERMONISING IN FREEMASONRY .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Whilst admiring the ability of yonr article of last Saturday on the above subject , I am not disposed to agree with you in what you say about " Sermonising , " nor do I think the example yon have nailed to the barn door a favourable instance from your own point of view . If your opinion is , as I am disposed to

gather , that we should confine our Lodge lectures and teachings to the bare formulae of the Craft , and should refrain from following up the offshoots whioh so frequently arise during the progress of all Masonio study , then I must join issue with you at once . I firmly believe that one powerful reason why we , so often and so sadly find a dearth of intelligent Craftsmen at our meetings is , that the bare husks

of Masonry are served up so perpetually that men of intelligence and education canuot submit to tho infliction of being fed ou them , timo after time , to the exclusion of other matters . There are very few men who are not deeply impressed by our ceremonies when first they make their acquaintance , and when well performed ; and perhaps when those ceremonies were first formulated , when education waa ,

comparatively speaking , in its infancy , and when anything beyond rudimentary knowledge was confined to a few , their perpetual repetition may have proved attractive and commended itself to many . We live now , however , in a different age , when men run to and fro and knowledge has increased , and we must make Masonry attractive by intelligence if we wish to make progress or even retain our ground .

I always , therefore , rejoice to read or hear of Lodge lectures , fresh explanations of symbols , or anything which may tend not only to throw light on Masonry itself , but to convoy parallel instruction . The Germans have long found out that something more than mere ritual is requisite for success , and their Lodges are often the scene of amicable discussions of scientific questions and discoveries , which

though quite apart , in the ordinary sense , from modern Freemasonry , do not transgress the religions and political boundary lines , and create an interest in Lodge work which would never otherwise exist . I rejoice with you that the days of wholesome acceptance of legendary nonsense have passed away , but I hope this does not mean that we are to exclude from our Lodges in future anything bufc the

bare ritual . I am one of those who think that were it not for its historical associations , the study of its own occult history , its pleasing social reunions and its Charities , Freemasonry wonld not be worth the attention of any educated man . In the usages of the Craft , and in many of its symbols and teachings , we find numerous rays of light and thought whioh when followed np lead the investigator perhaps

far away from the actual framework or bones of the Order ; but on our way we are apt to derive much enjoyment from the acquisition of fresh knowledge and from the light which is often indirectly shed upon onr history . I am disposed to think that such " Sermonising " as you havo declared out of place is far too rare , and that ono of the real needs of the Craft in England is a little more of it . Yours fraternally , T . B . WHYTEHEAD .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I read in your report , last week , of the Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on Wednesday , the 8 fch instant , that there have already occurred since the election on 20 th May no less than five deaths among onr Old People . According to present regulations , the vacancies thus caused cannot be filled up till May 1882 . May I suggest that some steps shonld

be taken at the next meeting of the Committee with the view of having , if possible , the five highest unsuccessful candidates at the last poll—male or female as may be necessary—placed on the roll of annuitants . Surely it is cruel to keep five annuities in abeyance

when there are so many deserving Old People in a state of great poverty and distress . Yours fraternally , ' W . L . H . 16 th June 1881 .

Labour And Refreshment.

LABOUR AND REFRESHMENT .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In company with a large concourse of my brethren I paid a visit on Monday last to Ayleshnry , to attend Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks . I am not an early riser , and my friends frequently tell me I occasion myself many annoyances by this failing of mine . However , I must leave yon to judge

whether I am responsible for the inconvenience and annoyance I was subjected to on this occasion . I had several important business matters to attend to before the time came for me to start for Paddington to catch the train which left at 11 a . m . Now , Sir , I breakfasted on this day at 7—very early indeed for me —and not being a " huge feeder , " I became a hungred before I reached Aylesbury , more especially as the requirements of my inner man were aroused

Labour And Refreshment.

by a small packet of sandwiches whioh a more thoughtful brother who travelled with me discussed—to his satisfaction—by the way . On reaching my destination a friend suggested a glass of sherry , and a biscuit , and together we paid a visit to the well-known * hostelry " The George , " in order to satisfy our requirements . After a deal of pushing and crowding we procured our glasses of sherry . but biscuits

—none were to be had . Ultimately we were compelled to seek a confectioner's shop to get that of whioh I by this time felt myself absolutely in need . I understand that next year Prov . G . Lodge is to be held at Reading . May I ask yon to throw out a hint that the brothen of that noted place should at least see their guests aro in a position to partake of what my be considered one of the staple manufactures therein . Yours fraternally , A HUNGRY MAN .

Bro. Massa And The Grand Treasurer.

BRO . MASSA AND THE GRAND TREASURER .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . 4 Dowgate Hill , E . G ., 23 rd June 1881 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The following is a copy of letter from the Grand Secretary , stating thafc the Board of General Purposes hold that it has no jurisdiction in a matter of a complaint against a

Grand Officer by a private member of Grand Lodge . I am unable myself to rooonoile the decision of the Board with the law and landmarks promulgated in the Book of Constitutions ( ex . gr . page 14 )— " If any brother do you injury , you must apply to your

own or his Lodge , and from thence yon may appeal to the Grand Lodge , never taking a legal course , but when the case cannot be otherwise decided . " Before appealing to Grand Lodge , I should be very grateful for any enlightenment .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , THOS . MASSA . ( Copy . ) Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . 22 nd June 1881 .

BRO . T . MASSA P . M . —SIR AND BROTHER , —Having laid before the Board of General Purposes , yesterday , your letter of the 28 th ult ., submitting a complaint against V . W . Bro . Lieut .-Colonel J . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , for improper language alleged to have been used

by him at a meeting of the General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , I have to inform you that the Board held that the alleged offence , not having occurred in Freemasonry , the Board has no jurisdiction in fche matter .

I am , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , SHADWELL H . CLERKE ( COL . ) G . S .

Meeting Of The Lodge Of Benevolence.

MEETING OF THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE Lodge of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Joshua Nunn Senior Vice-President , Bro . James Brett Junior Vice-President , and Bro . Samuel Rawson Past District Grand Master of China , occupied tbe chairs of President , and Senior and Junior Vice Presidents . The recommendations of grants at last meeting , amounting to £ 350 , were first confirmed . Of

the thirty new cases on the list , one was relieved with £ 200 , one with £ 150 , one with £ 100 , three with £ 50 each , two with £ 40 each , three with £ 30 each , eight with £ 20 each , two with £ 20 each , two with £ 10 each , and two with £ 5 each , or a total of £ 960 . Five cases were deferred , and two were dismissed .

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL 1 SE WORKED By the West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 , afc the Cathedral Hotel , St . Paul's Churchyard , E . G ., on Monday , the 27 th instant , at 7 o ' clock punctually . The attendance of brethren is particularly requested . Bros . S . E . Moss P . M . 184 W . M ., R . Pearcy P . M . 228 S . W ., A . W . Fenner W . M . 1227 J . W ., Pennefather W . M .

1623 Preceptor , C . F . Goodenough S . D . 1445 Hon . Sec . Firsfc Lee ture : —Bros . A . Tuck 1531 , J . Gibbs 1580 , 0 . Patrick 1227 , I . P . Cohen 205 , 0 . Lorkin 1254 , H . J . Lardner 1745 , and T . Cull 1446 . Second Lecture : —Bros . J . R . Green 861 , D . Moss 1275 , C . Weeden 813 , H . P . Isaac 1693 , and J . King 1623 . Third Lecture .- —Bros . J . Lorkin 192 , A . W . Fenner 1227 , and R . Pearcy 228 .

We are requested to announce that the ceremony of Installation will be rehearsed at the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 1288 , held afc the Alwyne Castle , St . Paul's-road , Canonbury , on Wednesday next , 29 th instant , by Bro . R . Pearcy P . M ., the Preceptor of the Lodge . The chair will be taken at 8 . 30 p . m . precisely .

The next annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania will take place in Alleghany . Surely no better place in the State could havo been selected . It is a handsome city , and the people are enterprising , courteous , liberal and progressive . We surmist ; that the nnmber of Sir Knights that will meet together on this occasion will exceed that of Philadelphia in 1876 ,